the fiscal cliff gets closer and closer. so what's it like to grapple with fiscal issues inside congress? both of our next guests served on the budget committee. joining us now is marty russo of illinois. he served on the house ways and means budget committees and robert walker of pennsylvania now executive chairman. good to have both of you gentleman here. we've hit this theme before. before i get into the details, i want to stress again, you guys, you come from opposing points of view. but you were able as were many back in the day able to work together, find places where you could compromise. why does that seem to be so difficult now? >> well, in our days, it wasn't the majority of a majority. it wasn't like parliament system. we'd pick up republicans to pass. in those days bob michael was a heck of a minority leader. they would battle on the house floor. but in the end, it was what's in the best interest of the country. that's the same thing they did with president regan. it's what's in the best interest of the country r